7 Responses to “Opinion: Dangers of Marijuana Experienced Firsthand”

Interesting take! Can you comment on how many patients you see harmed from marijuana intoxication vs. alcohol intoxication? Both being unregulated in your state. In my experience, the devastating effects from alcohol seem to far outpace that of marijuana, in terms of addiction, trauma, suicide risk, end-organ damage, etc. However, I don’t practice in an environment where marijuana is legal, so perhaps marijuana is much more of a scourge in your practice setting. It seems that the Colorado Dept of Health has some interesting statistics regarding marijuana use in your state, including that daily or near-daily use of marijuana among adults in Colorado is much lower than daily use of alcohol. Further, past-month marijuana use along Colorado teens is almost identical to the national average.

Thanks for the comment! Alcohol certainly remains a problem as well. I don’t have any specific data to say which is more of a contributing factor. I would say compared to New Mexico, I am seeing significantly more paranoia/anxiety/psychotic type symptoms and these correlate with MJ more than alcohol. Depression, SI, seem more correlated with alcohol- just anecdotally.

Great article. Fairly new concept in Maine, but I am expecting the same to happen here. Everyone is excited about the increased tax revenue, but I doubt that it will be redirected at healthcare and drug rehabilitation. You can add marijuana to the list that includes alcohol, lottery tickets, and casinos as a really “poor”” way to generate tax revenue.

no only a poor way but no way as the state of Colorado has a deficit after the cost of marijuana impaired driving costs- that alone ate up any tax revenue – not even mentioning the social and medical costs – other studies show millions of onpaid bills hospitals face dealing with marijuana cases. Then there is the increase in drop outs at $350,00 to society per case and the list goes on and on – we can not afford as taxpayers for this small minority to use this drug for a temporary intoxicating high.

Who exactly do we think is “safe” or reasonable to use cannabis? Certainly not airline pilots, bus drivers, law enforcement, doctors, nurses, & pharmacists? Right, they are all regulated & will likely lose their license, assuming they get caught.

But what about Uber\Lyft drivers? What about school teachers, daycare workers, truck drivers, heavy machine operators?

Or what about the 218M US drivers? Right, they are going to be responsible & not drive when acutely intoxicated. But unlike alcohol, there’s no objective way to determine that. So, do we put very driver in jail who tests positive for cannabis they used two weeks ago?

So, for the people YOU count on every day to provide services to you & your family, who do you feel ok with them using cannabis on a regular basis? Might want to think about that the next time you sit down to get your hair cut.

Problem is, when the general public thinks about voting YES for a pot referendum, they are just thinking about how THEY would use it (responsibly) & would never give it to teenagers. Apparently, they fail to understand how the world really works. Put a McDonalds on every corner & the world gets fat. Put a Pot Dispensary on every corner & the world (including kids) gets stoned. Well, at least kids can’t get sugary drinks in schools.